AEW Dynamite is live tonight from EagleBank Arena in Fairfax.
Four championship matches are scheduled for tonight’s show.
Kicking off the broadcast, Kevin Knight will defend the TNT Championship against MJF.
Darby Allin will look to defend the AEW World Championship for a second time as he goes up against Brody King.
Kazuchika Okada will put the International Championship on the line against Ace Austin.
The AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions Divine Dominion put the titles on the line against Hikaru Shida and Kris Statlander.
The full lineup for the show:
- AEW World Champion Darby Allin defends against Brody King
- AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) defend against Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida
- TNT Champion Kevin Knight defends against MJF
- AEW International Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Ace Austin
- Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta
- Brawling Birds (Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor) vs. TBA
- Rush vs. TBA
Our live coverage kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern.
************************************************
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz as they run down tonight’s card, including 4 title matches. We’re kicking off with the TNT Title and go to a recap package of the past few weeks. Taz said it looks like MJF is nude not having a title around his waist. He also mentioned how he doesn’t like Knight or his partner, Tae Kwon Do Jones (I’ve sure missed Taz on commentary).
Kevin Knight vs. MJF for the TNT Title
(The fans were loudly behind Knight from the opening introductions, as this would wind up being undoubtedly the biggest win of his career thus far. Tony Khan has talked about recently how there’s big plans for Knight as a future World Champion and it’s great to see him involved with guys in the main event picture. The post-match made it official that Knight gets a World Title shot next week and it sends MJF off the edge even more, forcing him to think about what he’s willing to put on the line if he wants a World Title shot of his own.)
We get big match introductions from Justin Roberts, as MJF told him to say he doesn’t hail from a white trash town like Virginia. MJF rushes Knight at the opening bell, sends him crashing outside, driving him with a powerbomb onto the railing before taking the camera and filming Knight, calling him a bum. Back inside, Knight was able to fire off a leaping lariat, but MJF met him with a kitchen sink. They trade back suplex attempts, with MJF hitting a variation into a cutter for two. Knight used his speed to avoid multiple attacks and hit a jumping DDT into a double down. Knight is up first and swarms MJF with strikes in the ropes, as a huge dropkick connects into a kip up and huge pop from the crowd. Leaping standing splash gets a near fall, as he positioned MJF for the home run shot, but MJF rolled outside three separate times, with each time being met with a Knight slingshot cross body, Tope and somersault dive. MJF did it a fourth time, with Knight capping it all off with a springboard diving lariat up the aisle.
Back inside, Knight wanted a UFO Splash, but MJF suckered him into the ropes, missed a Heatseeker, they traded pin attempts until MJF countered a rolling DDT into a pop-up cutter for two. Knight fights off a Panama Sunrise, goes up with MJF in the ropes, backflips out, but tweaks his knee in the process. Knight still hit his leaping standing hurricanrana from the corner, as he went for a UFO Splash, but crashed and burned. Knight kicked free from a Figure Four, charged for a corner splash, but his leg buckled right in position for MJF to hit a Panama Sunrise for two. MJF smells blood in the water and pounces on the injured knee, sinking in a Half Crab, but Knight kicked free, only to crumble yet again. MJF wanted another Panama Sunrise, but leapt into a thrust kick with the good leg. Knight went up top and hit a UFO Splash, but took too long to make a cover, MJF kicking out at two.
Dragon screw in the ropes by MJF, who continued snapping at the knee before blowing a snot rocket and spitting on Knight. Multiple kick outs by Knight pisses MJF off, as he grabs the TNT Title, distracts referee Bryce with it, who rips it away, giving MJF time to put on the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Before he could use it, Knight hit a low blow and inside cradle, as Bryce turned around, made the three count for the flash pin, MJF can’t believe it. Knight slowly got to his feet and held the title high for a brief moment before MJF chop blocked out the leg. MJF was about to use the ring when Darby Allin did a Sting-esque entrance from the top of the arena, getting in the ring and laying out MJF with a Scorpion Death Drop.
MJF scattered away up the aisle with a microphone saying the fans suck, while two low life cheaters get along with each other. MJF said he doesn’t care about Kevin Knight; he was barely trying in that match. The only thing he cares about is his Triple B, demanding his rematch. Allin said no and if he wants a shot, he’ll have to put something on the line. If Allin makes it by Brody King tonight, he knows who deserves the next shot, Kevin Knight. Brody King’s music hits and he power walks to the ring, staring down MJF before going face to face with Allin, saying he has bad news for Allin, he’s not going to survive tonight. He told Knight he’s got some bad news for him as well, next week, he won’t be facing Allin, he’ll be facing King. So it seems official that no matter what, Knight is getting an AEW World Title shot next week.
Match Result: Kevin Knight defeated MJF to retain the TNT Title
-After everything that just happened, we cut to a video package on the rivalry between Allin & King in AEW and the wars they have been through over the years. There’s no bigger match in their series than tonight’s main event for the AEW World Title.
**********
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Adam Copeland & Christian Cage, asking about Cage’s fractured arm, but he said it’s fine not to worry about it. Paquette asks if they accept FTR’s challenge to their match at Double or Nothing being an I Quit Match and Cage accepted. Copeland said he’s surprised he accepted considering his history with I Quit Matches and a pissed off Cage stormed off saying he never said it. Copeland told Paquette he totally said it, but won’t again.
The Brawling Birds (Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor) vs. Emily Jaye & Jordan Blade
Hayter wasted no time popping Blade & Jaye with forearms, as The Birds make quick tags and even faster chops. Windsor mows down Jaye ringside, as Hayter dished out ground and pound to Blade before hitting a double headbutt with Windsor. Sandwich double lariat led to Two Birds One Stone for the dominant win.
Match Result: The Brawling Birds defeated Emily Jaye & Jordan Blade
-Photos of Swerve Strickland at the NFL Draft was shown (no mention of Britt Baker, who was also there).
-Thekla & Skye Blue are backstage and Thekla said she wishes she could stop calling people dumb bitches, but there’s too many in AEW for her to stop. Blue said she feels sorry that Persephone got misted last week by Julia Hart, but it’s the best thing that ever happened to her, maybe it’ll open her eyes. Thekla bad mouths The Brawling Birds and said one on one, she’s everything, while they are nothing, so they should stick to a tag team.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Ace Austin for the AEW International Title
Don Callis joins commentary, as Excalibur told us Austin & Okada have history competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling, but I actually believe this is their first time meeting. Okada got the upper hand early, but a rolling drop toe hold led to a cradle for an early Austin near fall. Austin goes to work with strikes and a deep squat Death Valley Driver, leading to a comeback spring kick sending Okada outside. Okada tried to sweep the leg on the apron, but Austin did a handstand out of it, seeing Okada applaud the effort, but side stepped a slingshot from Austin, spiking him with a DDT on the floor, as Okada had a big smile on his face.
Okada proceeded to pick apart Austin (even high-fiving a child ringside in the process), planting him with an Air Raid Crash on the knee before connecting on his top rope elbow, flipping off the crowd, which Callis said was directed at Tony Schiavone. Austin fights off a Rainmaker, sends Okada outside where he hit a pump kick on the apron followed up by a Fosbury Flop. Back inside, combo of strikes led to a leaping leg drop followed by a springboard twisting leg drop for two. Okada attempted, but missed his leaping dropkick, giving Austin a roll-up for two. Austin tried the springboard leg drop again, but Okada hit his dropkick in mid-air. Austin ducked a Rainmaker into a crazy close backslide for two, but Okada quickly got up and hit another dropkick, this time followed by a Tombstone and Rainmaker for the win.
Post-match, Callis went to attack Austin, as Mark Davis congratulated Okada, while Juice Robinson ran out to save his Bang Bang Gang buddy. Konosuke Takeshita slowly walks out to the stage and signals the International Title will be his at Double or Nothing.
Match Result: Kazuchika Okada defeated Ace Austin to retain the AEW International Title
-A video is shown in the Wild West and Bandido Most Wanted signs around town. People have been attacked and left lying, as someone walks out of the bar and stops to pick up a dust covered Bandido sign. It’s Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana, as Strickland sets fire to the Wanted sign before the screen fades to black.
**********
-We recap the footage from Collision of the offer Jon Moxley made to Will Ospreay, making him the most dangerous version of himself he’s ever seen. We then go to the Death Riders training until Ospreay shows up, with Moxley asking if Ospreay has gotten cleared? Ospreay said no, but it’s not stopping him from going to Japan, as he and his boys have a big title match. Moxley said loyalty, you’re too good to be true. He tells Ospreay he needs to drop everything that clouds his vision, that makes him see things that aren’t there, whatever pulls at his heart strings, the anger that burns a hole in his stomach, drop it all, it’s excess baggage, they don’t need it. Ospreay’s feelings about Moxley, drop it, they don’t need it. Moxley doesn’t promise miracles, but when he promises something, he sees it through til the very end, all he asks for is the same in return. Ospreay says ok, looks at PAC before asking where’s the ring? Moxley said they don’t do a ring; they start from the ground up and shoves the camera away. This was another excellent video, as the Death Riders are making Ospreay into a machine on his quest for the AEW World Title.
-Stokely joins commentary for the upcoming tag match, as FTR are by his side getting a close look at their opponents for Double or Nothing.
Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. RPG Vice (Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta)
(This ended up being a really good challenge for Copeland & Cage in their first official tag match on AEW TV. While we don’t see RPG Vice much as a duo on Dynamite, they always are a solid team and brought it tonight. The Conglomeration & FTR interaction seems like a Collision match waiting to happen, so we’ll see if that’s announced by the end of the night. The post-match was a simple way for Copeland & Cage to get their opponents tonight to yell I Quit before the trying to make FTR do the same at Double or Nothing.)
Stokley said they have nothing to worry about at Double or Nothing, saying they’ve beaten them before and they will again, easily. Romero & Cage kick things off, with Romero going right for the injured forearm, but Cage escaped and flipped off FTR. Romero went back to the forearm before clocking Cage with a dropkick, doing an early sliding celebration to the camera, allowing Cage to drop him with a reverse DDT. Tag to Copeland, as we get a running boot/leg sweep combo for two. Romero made a tag to Beretta, who planted Copeland with a jumping double stomp for a near fall of his own, but Copeland answered with another running boot and drop toe hold into the ropes. Cage tagged in and did his standing choke before a double team strikes led to Beretta being chucked into the barricade. Cash Wheeler ran distraction long enough for Beretta to slam Cage’s bad forearm into the post.
Stokely gets up to applaud, not seeing Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong behind him in the front row. Stokely swung and missed Cassidy, who smacked him with popcorn and the brawl between The Conglomeration, FTR & Stokely are on out of the arena.
As this all went on, Cage was clipped with a running knee off the apron by Romero, as RPG Vice continued working over Cage for an extended period. Romero managed a flying cross arm breaker out of the corner, took Cage to the corner again, but was spiked with a Tornado DDT for the reset. Copeland made the hot tag, ran wild, spiked Beretta with an Impaler for two. Copeland would eat multiple double pump knees from RPG Vice, as Beretta went for Strong Zero, but Cage made the save, sending Copeland in to hit a Code Red on Beretta. Cage & Romero spilled outside, as Beretta leap frogged a Copeland Spear, tried a pin with his foot on the ropes, but got caught. Beretta argued with referee Rick Knox, but turned into a pop-up Spear from Cage & Copeland for the win.
Post-match, Cage brought a chair in the ring and ripped it apart, allowing Copeland to put a crossface on Beretta using part of the chair. Cage ordered Beretta to say it, as he pleaded I Quit. Cage said he would never say it, you little b*tch. Copeland looked at the AEW Tag Titles that were still at commentary before Cage went to leave with them, but Knox was able to get it away. Copeland, popcorn bucket on is head, ran around ringside with the other title as well.
Match Result: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage defeated RPG Vice when Copeland pinned Beretta
**********
-Renee Paquette is backstage earlier today with Jericho and brings up Ricochet saying The Ricosault is an improvement on The Lionsault. Jericho said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but he’s pissed off. Before he could say anything else, The Demand attack from behind, as Liona & Kaun hold Jericho up as Ricochet said no more subliminal messages and if this is what Jericho wanted? Jericho told Ricochet to eat sh*t, bald. Ricochet slammed Jericho into the side of a table, then teased a Ricosault, but landed on his feet, saying Jericho isn’t worth it.
Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Kross) vs. Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s Tag Team Titles
(The first part of this match saw everyone on different pages, as I thought there were some incredibly awkward moments, but thankfully it got back on track the second half. While we’ve seen people use partners as a projectile in the past (Roderick Strong & Orange Cassidy comes to mind), we’ve never seen them boot the other in the ribs before doing it, so at one point, the fans thought Shida was turning on Statlander, who just had to accept what happened before being isolated. It was all very odd.)
Renee Paquette was ringside before the match and said she talked to Shida earlier today, who said Statlander, her good friend, have teamed with her more than Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron, as tonight, they’ll win tag gold together.
Shida attacked both Kross & Bayne at the bell, but both no sold, as Kross drove her shoulder repeatedly into the ribs of Shida in the corner before rag-dolling her with a beal. Double shoulder tackle by Kross & Bayne, who I think tried a fall away slam, but both ladies just awkwardly collapsed. Shida was able to battle back, tried a jumping knee, only to be slammed by Bayne. Shida, visibly pissed outside, regrouped and tried to use her kendo stick, but Statlander put a stop to it. She pulled it away just in time for Bayne to miss a charge and post herself in the corner. Shida actually kicked her own partner in the stomach and delivered a snap suplex on her onto Bayne in the corner. Statlander got up and was pissed, as Bayne had already recovered, but Statlander low bridged her outside. Statlander delivered a spinning back elbow, looked for Wednesday Night Fever, but Kross rolled through, kicking Statlander into the ropes, where Bayne flew in with a leaping boot. Kross delivered a Hot Shot variation on Statlander, who continued to be isolated.
Statlander finally started mounting her comeback with a double hurricanrana, as she fought of Bayne with a massive discus lariat. Shida & Kross tag in and they trade stiff shots until Shida hit a missile dropkick out of the corner. Bayne got in a cheap shot, as Kross threw a thrust kick, Shida ducked and sent the champs into each other before getting a 2 for 1 sliding knee on both. Shida hit a double missile dropkick off the apron before taking Kross back inside, as Kross hit a thrust kick of her own, causing Shida to stumble to her corner and Statlander making the blind tag. Bayne & Kross hit stereo Helluva Kicks and a Bayne release German for two. Blind tag from Kross, who ultimately takes a Blue Thunder Bomb, as Statlander stacked the champs and hit a 450 Splash on the pile for two.
Statlander went for her finisher, but Shida made another blind tag, hitting a Meteora off the top before doing the deal with a Falcon Arrow for two. Kitana was stopped by a Bayne belly to belly suplex, as Statlander came in with a thrust kick, only to eat a flying boot/release German. Bayne & Kross then flattened Shida with their double chokeslam for the win.
Match Result: Divine Dominion defeated Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida to retain the AEW Women’s Tag Team Titles when Kross pinned Statlander
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Don Callis & Andrade El Idolo, but are interrupted by MJF, who said thanks to Andrade, AEW is ruined. Andrade keeps mocking him saying “how do you know?” and starts laughing until MJF shoves him. Callis calms them down and said Andrade is his money man, MJF is the money man and said they’re all better off when MJF is on top, so let’s just focus on business. Callis told Paquette wild horses, they’re going to run.
Rush vs. Steven Fuerte
Fuerte wanted a handshake, but was absolutely destroyed by a Rush right hand. Quickly to the floor, Rush continued beating the hell out of him before going back inside, where he delivered the Bulls Horns for the victory in a slaughter.
Post-match, Rush took the mic and said when you mess with the bull, you get the horns.
Match Result: Rush defeated Steven Fuerte
-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Opps in full force, as she asks Joe what the game plan is moving forward? Joe said to reassert their dominance moving forward, it’s by Katsuyori Shibata, who will kick your head off, Anthony Bowens, who has always been overlooked and you’ll see what he’s capable of, while HOOK will become the TNT Champion this weekend. Joe told Will Ospreay they had his back when he needed it, but now he has to make a choice.
**********
-Stokely is backstage with FTR and said he just left Tony Khan’s office and said he has a proposition for Orange Cassidy. Next week on Dynamite, Cassidy vs. Dax Harwood, if he wins, he can challenge for the Tag Titles with any partner. If Harwood wins, then FTR can challenge for the Trios Titles with the man who took Darby Allin to his limit last week. Tommaso Ciampa walks in and said the last time he teamed with FTR, he put Mark Briscoe on the shelf indefinitely and next time, they’ll win the Trios Titles, top guys, out.
Darby Allin vs. Brody King for the AEW World Title
(To no one’s surprise, these two beat the ever-loving crap out of each other and Allin took some crazy bumps, shocking I know. If ever there was a truer statement on commentary, Excalibur said that Darby Allin is going to take this until the wheels fall off and these matches the last few weeks have proved exactly that, really all of Allin’s matches. I’d say Allin survived this one, as next on his schedule is the TNT Champion, who we learned has his own hands full this week on Collision against HOOK. Regardless of what happens there, Knight vs. Allin next week should be excellent.)
Both men shake hands at the opening bell, but Allin exploded out with a shotgun dropkick, tried a Coffin Splash, but was swatted in mid-air by a King chop and release overhead German followed by his corner cannonball. Gonzo Bomb was fought off, as Allin went to the corner, King right up after him, allowing Allin to hit an Avalanche Code Red for two. King went outside, where Allin tried a Tope, but bounced off King like a ball to a wall. King placed Allin on a chair, charged, only Allin hit a chop block and King ate a face full of chair. Allin sat King down on the chair and hit his signature dropkick from the top, as both men are in rough shape early on.
Allin tried to start a slugfest back inside and you know full well King won that exchange, as he continued to ragdoll Allin for multiple two counts until a running senton onto the knees of Allin. King placed Allin on the top rope, decked him with a chop and Allin flew to the floor with a splat. Brutal chokeslam on the edge of the apron, as King cleared out the commentary table, placing the top part against the railing. We see Kevin Knight watching from the crowd, as Allin piggy backed King with a sleeper, but King ran and put him through the top of the table. MJF is also shown watching backstage as both men continue to be down.
King brought Allin up, who wiggled free and sent King stomach first into the corner of the commentary table. Both start trading chops before both stood up on the table and King got his standing choke. Allin got free and somehow hit a Code Red, but the table didn’t budge. Allin went back to the ring and on one leg, hit his Tope. Allin returned King inside, went up top, but was cut off in a Tree of Woe and King hit a massive cannonball and home run lariat for two. Another running lariat turned Allin inside out, but again, Allin kicked out. King couldn’t believe it, as Allin continued to fight back, threw a headbutt, which only angered King, who launched Allin clear over the top, clipping a cameraman in the process. Allin is holding onto the padding ringside for dear life as King drags him away. King got a full charge, wanted a cannonball, but Allin moved and King crashed through the barricade. Allin quickly exposed more of the concrete ringside, as King went up to the apron, Allin slid out and hit a powerbomb onto the concrete. Allin followed with a Coffin Drop on the exposed floor and you could audibly hear the thud. King just broke the count at 9, but rolled right into a Coffin Drop to the back, as Allin followed with a Coffin Drop proper for the win.
Post-match, Knight applauded from the stands and commentary said he must not look past HOOK on Collision for the TNT Title and Taz said he hope he does. King recovered and showed respect to Allin before giving him the ring, as Allin stared down Knight, their AEW Title match is official for next week.
Match Result: Darby Allin defeated Brody King to retain the AEW World Title
AEW Collision 5/2/26
- Kevin Knight vs. HOOK for the TNT Title
- Jungle Jack Perry vs. Mascara Dorada for the AEW National Title
- Willow Nightingale vs. Anna Jay for the TBS Title
- Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & PAC) & The Dogs (David Finlay & Clark Connors) vs. Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin) & The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Myron Reed) in a Tornado Tag
- Bang Bang Gang (Ace Austin & Juice Robinson) vs. Death Riders (Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia)
AEW Dynamite 5/6/26
- Darby Allin vs. TNT Champion Kevin Knight for the AEW World Title
- Dax Harwood vs. Orange Cassidy in a Double Jeopardy Match (if Cassidy wins, he gets a Tag Title match with a partner of his choosing, if Harwood wins, FTR & Tommaso Ciampa get a Trios Title match)
